Battle of Suakin

Battle of Suakin
Part of Mahdist War, 1881–1899

Battle of Suakin
Date20 December 1888
LocationSuakin, Eastern Sudan
Result Anglo-Egyptian victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom United Kingdom Sudan
Commanders and leaders
Francis Grenfell Osman Digna (WIA)
Casualties and losses
12 killed 1,000 killed

The Battle of Suakin (also known as the Battle of Gemaizah), part of the Mahdist War, occurred on 20 December 1888 when General Francis Grenfell defeated a Mahdist, or Dervish, force near Suakin, a chief port of Sudan.

The Mahdist force, under Osman Digna, had advanced on Suakin with an intention to invest it. From Suakin, General Grenfell launched a sortie against the Mahdists,[1] who were attempting to capture the Water Forts.[2] After one and a half hours of fighting, the casualties were 12 on the side of the British and Egyptians, and 1,000 on the side of the Mahdists.[3] General Kitchener was present, commanding an Egyptian Army brigade comprising Sudanese troops, this being the first battle where units of the Egyptian Army played a significant part since its reform by the British.[4]

In the battle, three of the swords of the 20th Hussars broke short, an incident which later caused debate in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom.[5]

Egyptian and British forces present received the Egypt Medal with clasp 'Gemaizah 1888'.

References

  1. ↑ Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin. British Battles and Medals. p. 164. Published Spink, London. 1988.
  2. ↑ Constantius historical artefacts | Egypt 1882-89, Gemeizah 1888, 2/K.O.S.B
  3. ↑ Steward, W. Augustus (2008). War Medals and Their History. READ BOOKS. ISBN 1-4086-9712-2.
  4. ↑ Michael Barthorp. War on the Nile. pp. 134. Published Blandford Press, Dorset. 1984.
  5. ↑ Army—The Battle at Suakin—The Broken Swords of the 20th Hussars. (Hansard, 21 December 1888)


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